Spotted at the Illinois State Fair

<p>Kami Titus gets close with her champion premier lamb during the Parade of Champions, held Aug. 10 in the Coliseum of Champions at the Illinois State Fair.</p>

<p>Lauren Wolter checks for the judge during junior beef showmanship. Wolter’s heifer went on to win champion heifer in the junior Angus show and placed third overall in the Supreme Heifer Drive.</p>

<p>Claire Bobell drives her pig to win crossbred barrow champion. Her animal went on to win grand champion overall barrow at the Illinois State Fair and sold for $25,000 to the CME Group during the Sale of Champions.</p>

<p>Nolan Lee was ultimately named to the top five in his showmanship division.</p>

<p>Amelia and Theresa Miller pause for a photo just before Amelia showed her heifer in the junior Simmental show.</p>

<p>Animals all over the fairgrounds set foot in show rings to be evaluated — carefully — against their peers.</p>

<p>Junior exhibitors line up their wethers for evaluation by the judge.</p>

<p>Ty McVicker, Henry County, Ill., has his wether ready for judging.</p>

<p>Jeff Cox, head of IDOA’s Bureau of Medicinal Plants, tells a group of fairgoers about hemp production, sharing roasted seeds and pointing out the two different types of plants growing in their plot at the Illinois State Fairgrounds.</p>

<p>Stark County 4-H’er Mackenzie Tilch won the champion decorated cake title at the Illinois State Fair. 4-H project judging changed this year, with a champion and reserve selected for each project area, instead of a handful of superior ribbons being awarded.</p>

<p>At the Ag Day Breakfast, IDOA Director John Sullivan rattled off a list of Illinois ag’s top achievements, thanked IDOA’s 340 staff members and concluded, “We have a lot to be proud of here in Illinois.”</p>

<p>Marla Todd, with the University of Illinois, congratulates her Mercer County friend Krystal Jungmann on her induction into the 4-H Hall of Fame. Jungmann was among 80 4-H supporters inducted.</p>

<p>University of Illinois College of ACES Dean Kim Kidwell talks with U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos, D-Moline, during the Ag Day breakfast.</p>

<p>IDOA Director John Sullivan congratulates Carter Hoge on his grand champion wether moments after the selection.</p>

<p>Closed since late 2016, the newly renovated and renamed Coliseum of Champions was home once again to the Parade of Champions, where the champion meat goat, wether, barrow and steer were selected. Here, the steer judge talks about each animal in the final drive.</p>

<p>Cole Caldwell shoots a shy smile to the crowd after his steer is named grand champion overall at the 2019 Illinois State Fair.</p>

<p>Colton Baudino leads his all-other-breeds steer into the ring during the Champion Drive, ultimately winning fourth place overall.</p>

<p>Even the animals seem to know this is their big moment.</p>

<p>Olivia Shike, Champaign County, Ill., drives her champion Landrace barrow during the Champion Drive in the Coliseum of Champions.</p>

<p>Ribbons were cut at Barn 25Q, as Compeer Financial sponsored its renovation this year. Barn 25Q is part of a series of historic barns; its improvements included cleaning exterior walls, retuckpointing all mortar joints, resealing all windows with caulking, painting the interior and adding three high volume-low velocity circulation fans. The barn also received a new roof, courtesy of additional funds. Compeer has committed to give $180,000 to the Illinois Fairgrounds Foundation to renovate one barn a year for three years.</p>

<p>Chase Tomhave sells his Land of Lincoln champion meat goat in the Sale of Champions. His goat, which also received reserve overall champion honors, was bought for $5,500.</p>

<p>The big moment of the night comes as Cole Caldwell, Peoria County, Ill., leads his steer to the auction block. Bidding on the grand champion steer started immediately.</p>

<p>Contending bidder? Gov. J.B. Pritzker, who is up against a formidable opponent.</p>

<p>Pritzker’s bidding opponent is his wife, MK Pritzker. Ag Director John Sullivan put his auctioneering background to work catching bids from his half of the gubernatorial duo.</p>

<p>Bids climbed to $67,000, and Sullivan announced they didn’t need an auctioneer after all: MK bid $75,000, and just like that, the steer was sold.</p>

<p>Tears stream down young Cole Caldwell’s face as the price on his animal climbs higher and higher, ultimately selling to the governor’s wife.</p>